Technology and the over 40's...

In the 80's Judith Hann promised that cars would drive themselves and robots would do the housework - I am still waiting for this to happen.  What she did not tell me was that I would be able to tweet via SMS which would then post the tweet to FB for me. I understand robots and cars better than Twitter.

Job seems to be done, tweets appearing in FB, a convenient if limited way to communicate whilst I am away.

Waiting on Sam's negotiations with colleagues about being collected from JOG's and taken to Thurso when I finish.  Plans have changed slightly in that I am finiding my own way home (too expensive to get everyone up there) via train to Inverness then flight to Birmingham. I can't book/plan anything further tonight until I know what can and can't be done.

Less training, more admin.

I haven't lifted a finger since finishing Monday's 'All Day Spin' at the TFD gym in Grove (another £86 in the pot) - and it's been quite nice.  We have now smashed through the £2k mark; current total is £2,042.

I spent 11.5 hours on the saddle and met a load of people - some I hadn't seen since leaving school. The staff at the gym were awesome supplying tea like it was going out of fashion. I can't thank them enough. Me old mate Ray popped in and lent his support like he always does - thanks Ray.  Sam and the kids also turned up for a couple of hours which was great, really helped the time pass.

I had amassage yesterday which has destroyed my calves and ITB's and demanded the use of the sauna afterwards.  Today has been ok as I have made a point of doing a bit of walking around town etc. Another massage on Tuesday which should be less painful.

In terms of training, I am planning a couple of spin sessions, circuits on Thursday and several sessions in the gym before leaving on 10th May.  Nothing too heavy duty and no more long rides; it's more important to rest now and get some decent fuel in a few days before I leave.

Kit-wise I have had a good day - the tent has been re-proofed along with all my panniers.  My new (well, 2nd hand) cycling shoes have arrived and I have transferred the cleats over.  Wet wipes and toe protectors all procured.  Tomorrow will focus on setting up my bike for the trip with a final clean and degrease planned just before I go.

I still have no idea if I have prepared adequately but we will find out.

A final though, the Expedition 30 crew from the ISS touched down safely on the steppes of Kazakhstan on Friday. There recovery from the capsule was in true soviet no nonsence style (they were hauled out and chucked into couches that were then manhandled,couch and all, into a medical tent). They had been on the ISS for 5.5 months and I wondered how they felt as they began their trip home and finally felt the fresh terrestrial air again.  Probably 'thank goodness that's done - good to be back - what's next'. I wonder what will be next when I finish my ride.

Fund Raising Spin in Wantage

Smashing day yesterday spent sat on a turbo trainer outside Ledbury's in Wantage. Ray Collins asked me to join his cake stall raising money for local Wantage charities plus Sobel House and Breast Cancer - would have been daft to pass it up! Please have a look at what Ray is doing - he is a philanthropic lesson to us all; a real role model.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000349081377

Plenty of people spent time chatting and finding out what was happening; I was surprised at the number of people I knew; and surprised at their generosity. £113 in the bucket for just sitting down for 7 hours...can't complain at that.

The total is now over £1,800 and I am wondering if we could reach the £2k mark after tomorrow's spin at TFD in Grove.

The only other thing of note was that I ruined my cycling shoes in the tumble dryer - don't try this at home it's an expensive mistake to make!

Thanks to Spence for helping me set up so early (7.15am).  I can't speak at this time of the morning....

Back to life, back to reality...

Really rubbish two weeks after catching another chest infection.  This one was worse and I did not feel like lifting a finger let alone riding. Work was particularly busy with year end and I haven't really had time to rest properly. The only positive is that I got it now and not during the ride.

I started feeling better during last week so have focused on some of the administration tasks that needed doing.  Most of the accomodation is sorted (cheapest £3.50 but the owner was a lovely person) and I have collected my train tickets for Cornwall. This sort of thing takes a surprising amount of time but it has to be accurate and transposed into a check list I can use. I have also written to 10 or so local companies basically asking for sponsorship - not holding out much hope though.

I kick started my cycling career again with 2 commutes in this week.  I haven't lost any power just a bit of lung function on the climbs; yesterday's circuits class was hard but then I haven't done that particular class for 3 weeks (stiff as a board now). I suspect that we will do a ride at some point this weekend; now the weather is better it's much easier to get motivated.

I bought a couple of pairs of bib shorts today as my old shorts are worn out.  People have consistently told me that these are better than shorts as the pad is kept in the right place by the braces. I tried them on thinking that, at last, I will finanly get to look like a cyclist....I just looked like a 40 year old in sports gear that was slightly too small. Form a queue 45 year old ladeez.

Still trying to organise a turbo trainer for the two spin events later this month...still hopeful.

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Resting (again)

Following the all day spin last Monday, I felt great and took a spin class on Wednesday; performed well despite a developing cold.

The cold has taken hold now and I am on the bench coughing up green stuff.  I haven't trainined at all since Wednesday but it has given me a chance to catch up on things at home and the ride admin.  I've swapped back to my hybrid tyres now as I need to save the slicks for the ride.  I only put them on to test them with kit and also keep the noise down on the turbo trainer in the gym's reception.

I have had an offer to set up next to a cake stall in Wantage on 21st April - that could see a bit of cash coming in but I do not want to detract from the chap raising money for his charity.  Even if it just stimulates some interest it would be worth doing.  Then there is the spin at TFD gym in Grove which may have to be moved to another date.  More things to organise....

The weather is looking good and I think my cold is on the wain...spring is definitely coming.


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Funds seem to be picking up.

Last weekend was busy organising things for the all day spin at Unipart; I finally got clear of work by 4pm on the Sunday having scratched around all day to get my gear together. We had a very sedate ride in the morning as I was carrying full kit but although it was a short one (about 30 miles) I had nothing to complain about at the end.

I was ready to go at 7.55 on Monday Morning and basically kept going until 6pm stopping only for several toilet breaks and 10 minutes for an ice cream.  I ate food on the hop and people were very kind when it came to getting coffees etc. I'm not sure how much of an effect the advertising around the building had achieved but there were always people dropping in and out. 

The bucket steadily attracted cash with some people chucking £20 in.  One of the gym instructors and a colleague took the bucket around the building and I still have collection tins in the restaurant.  The total for the day was £250 which was fantasitic. Current total at £1,370 and rising. Thanks to the Lean Machine staff at Unipart for hosting the day.

Felt absolutely fine afterwards except the expected saddle soreness.  I suspect that the effects of this will not be so severe with new shorts as my old ones are very worn.  Tried the Chamois cream too and this helped a bit.

 

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